This, O obstinate man, is the story of the lake in which there were three great fishes.

قصه‌ی آن آبگیرست ای عنود ** که درو سه ماهی اشگرف بود

You will have read it in Kalíla, but that is (only) the husk of the story, while this is the spiritual kernel.

در کلیله خوانده باشی لیک آن ** قشر قصه باشد و این مغز جان

Some fishermen passed beside the lake and saw that concealed (prey).

چند صیادی سوی آن آبگیر ** برگذشتند و بدیدند آن ضمیر

Then they hastened to bring the net: the fishes noticed and became aware (of their intention).2205

پس شتابیدند تا دام آورند ** ماهیان واقف شدند و هوشمند

The intelligent one resolved to journey, resolved to make the difficult unwelcome journey.

آنک عاقل بود عزم راه کرد ** عزم راه مشکل ناخواه کرد

He said, “I will not consult these (others), for assuredly they will make me weak (deficient) in power (to fulfil my purpose).

گفت با اینها ندارم مشورت ** که یقین سستم کنند از مقدرت

Love of their native place and abode holds sway over their souls: their indolence and ignorance will strike on (affect) me.”

مهر زاد و بوم بر جانشان تند ** کاهلی و جهلشان بر من زند

For consultation, some goodly and (spiritually) living person is required, that he may make thee living; and where is that living one (to be found)?

مشورت را زنده‌ای باید نکو ** که ترا زنده کند وان زنده کو

O traveller, take counsel with a traveller, for a woman's counsel will keep thy foot lame.2210

ای مسافر با مسافر رای زن ** زانک پایت لنگ دارد رای زن

Pass on from the (literal) expression, “love of country”; do not stop (at its outward sense), for thy (real) home is Yonder: the (Beloved) soul is not on this side.

از دم حب الوطن بگذر مه‌ایست ** که وطن آن سوست جان این سوی نیست

If thou desire thy country, cross to the other bank of the stream: do not misread this true Hadíth.

گر وطن خواهی گذر آن سوی شط ** این حدیث راست را کم خوان غلط

The inner meaning of the recitation of the ablutionary prayers by one who performs the ritual ablution.

سر خواندن وضو کننده اوراد وضو را

In the ritual ablution, a separate form of prayer for each member of the body has been handed down in Tradition.

در وضو هر عضو را وردی جدا ** آمدست اندر خبر بهر دعا

When you snuff up water into your nose, beg of the self-sufficient Lord the scent of Paradise,

چونک استنشاق بینی می‌کنی ** بوی جنت خواه از رب غنی

In order that that scent may lead you towards Paradise: the scent of the rose is the guide to the rose-trees.2215

تا ترا آن بو کشد سوی جنان ** بوی گل باشد دلیل گلبنان

When you perform the act of abstersion, the (proper) form of prayer and words is this: “O Lord, cleanse me from this (defilement).

چونک استنجا کنی ورد و سخن ** این بود یا رب تو زینم پاک کن

My hand has reached this place and washed it, (but) my hand is weak (unable) to wash my spirit.

دست من اینجا رسید این را بشست ** دستم اندر شستن جانست سست

O Thou by whom the spirit of the unworthy is made worthy, the hand of Thy bounty is reaching the spirits.

ای ز تو کس گشته جان ناکسان ** دست فضل تست در جانها رسان

This (which) I, vile (as I am), have done was my limit (the utmost within my power): do Thou make clean that (which lies) beyond the limit, O gracious One.

حد من این بود کردم من لیم ** زان سوی حد را نقی کن ای کریم

O God, I have washed my skin clean of ordure: do Thou wash this beloved (spirit) clean of worldly taints.”2220

از حدث شستم خدایا پوست را ** از حوادث تو بشو این دوست را

A certain person used to say at the time of abstersion, "O God, let me smell the sweet odour of Paradise" instead of "O God, make me one of those who repent much, and make me one of those who purify themselves," which is the (proper) form of prayer in abstersion; and he (also) used to recite the formula proper to abstersion at the time of rinsing his nose. A venerable man heard (him) and could not endure it.